Daily Readings - Fri Aug 24 2018
Revelation
9And one of the seven Angels, those holding the bowls filled with the seven last afflictions, approached and spoke with me, saying: "Come, and I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.10And he took me up in spirit to a great and high mountain. And he showed me the Holy City Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God11having the glory of God. And its light was like that of a precious stone, even like that of the jasper stone or like crystal12And it had a wall, great and high, having twelve gates. And at the gates were twelve Angels. And names were written upon them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel13On the East were three gates, and on the North were three gates, and on the South were three gates, and on the West were three gates14And the wall of the City had twelve foundations. And upon them were the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb
John
45Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.46And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good be from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see.47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and he said about him, "Behold, an Israelite in whom truly there is no deceit.48Nathanael said to him, "From where do you know me?" Jesus responded and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.49Nathanael answered him and said: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.50Jesus responded and said to him: "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe. Greater things than these, you will see.51And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.
Sermon
The first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the New Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb, descending from heaven in all its glory. This vision is not just a description of a place but a symbol of God’s ultimate plan to dwell among His people, free from sin and suffering. The city’s gates and foundations, inscribed with the names of the tribes of Israel and the Apostles, remind us of the unity and continuity of God’s covenant with His people. This is a vision of hope, a reminder that our ultimate home is with God, where He will wipe away every tear.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very human moment of doubt and faith. Nathanael’s skepticism about whether anything good can come from Nazareth reflects our own tendencies to judge based on appearances or limited understanding. Yet, when Philip invites him to “come and see,” Nathanael is transformed by his encounter with Jesus. Jesus’ knowledge of Nathanael’s heart and His promise of greater things to come open Nathanael’s eyes to the divine. This exchange teaches us that faith often begins with an invitation to step beyond our doubts and trust in God’s revelation.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own journey of faith. Like Nathanael, we are called to move beyond our limited perspectives and trust in God’s plan. The vision of the New Jerusalem reminds us that our ultimate hope is not in this world but in the eternal life God promises. Let us, like Philip, invite others to “come and see” the beauty of God’s love. And let us, like Nathanael, be open to the ways God reveals Himself to us, even in unexpected places. May we live each day with the hope and trust that comes from knowing we are part of God’s plan, and may we never stop seeking the greater things He has in store for us.